Torque indicator



May 2, 1 950 f F. w. LIVERMONT 2,506,091'

` TORQUE INDICATOR Filed Nov. 26, 1945 Patented May 2, 1950 TORQUEINDICATOR Frank W. LivermonIgLos Angeles, Calif., assignor to Richmont,Inc., Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of California ApplicationNovember 26, 1945, Serial No. 630,773

(Cl. 'I3-139) 8 Claims.

This invention relates to torque indicators and more particularly to theconstruction of a device for indicating the force applied to rotate athreaded or other similar connection. There are now manufactured andsold many forms of torque wrenches or devices adapted for use in settingup threaded connections to a predetermined torque. Most of these devicesare of such character that they will yield through a slip connection toprevent the imposition upon such threaded connection of a torque beyonda predetermined maximum. Particularly in connection with large threadedconnections as, for example, the threading of large nuts upon bolts,studs, shafts, or the like, it is desirable to have a means which willgive a definite indication of the torque applied to the tightening ofsuch threaded connections. It oftentimes is desirable to have a meanswhich may be used as an extension rod for a Wrench socket or the likewhich is fitted to such nut or threaded connection in carrying out thethreading operation.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a torqueindicating device which will give a direct reading of the torque appliedto a threaded connection and which device may serve as an extension rodor handle foruse in connection with a wrench, socket or the like in themaking up of threaded connections.

Another object of this invention is to provide imposed a spring bar sothat deilection of the spring bar is indicated directly upon theindicator positioned within the housing handle.

Other objects and advantages of this invention it is believed will beapparent from the following detailed description of a, preferredembodiment thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

y Figure 1 is a plan view of the device embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevation principally in vertical mid-sectionthereof.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-3 ofFigure 2.

In the preferred embodiment of my invention illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, I indicates a handle housing providing-a grip 2,a dial indicator housing 3 in which a direct acting dial indicator 4 ishoused. The handle housing is also provided with spaced parallel linkears 5 and 6 within which the connecting links 1 and 8 are positionedand pivotally supported byv means of dowels 9 and I0, respectively.Carriedat the opposite ends of the links 1 and 8 is a bar socket I Iwhich is pivotally connectedto the links 1 and 8 by means of dowels I2and I3, respectively. The socket I I is formed with a socket recess I4adapted to receive the extension rod or handle of a socket wrench, rodor the like used in rotating a threaded element.

The lower link 8 extends within the housing I beyond its supporting pvotor dowel I0 and is provided with an indicator pin engaging set screw I5which is threaded within the end of the link 8 so as to be adjustablewith respect thereto. Its upper surface engages the actuating pin I6 ofthe dial indicator 4 which is supported Within the housing 3. The dialindicator 4 is of the common type and a thrust against the pin I6rotates the indicator I1 with reference to the graduated dial I8.

Interposed between the links 1 and 8 is a spring leaf I9 which issecured affixed within. the socket I I by having its end 20 tted closelywithin a recess formed in the socket and being held by means of crosspins 2|. At its opposite end the leaf spring is positioned between theears 5 and 6 so that it may move longitudinally within the recessprovided between the said ears as it is flexed due to the imposition ofa force upon the handle. or grip 2 resisted by the threading of thethreaded member as connected with the socket member I If. This movableconnection is provided by passing the reduced end 22 of the leaf springI9 through a slot formed through a roller 23, the roller. 23 being inturn positioned between the ears 5 and 6 so as to ride upon theiradjacent surfaces. :The roller is held in position upon the end of theleaf spring I9 by any suitable means such, forexam'- ple, as byutilizing a pair of opposed washers 24 which are of sufficient size toengage the side surfaces of the ears 5 and 6 and through which capscrews 25 are passed and threaded into the-opposed ends of the roller 23to eng-age the opposite edge surfaces of the reduced section 22 of theleaf spring I9. Spacing sleeves-.26 are positioned betweenthe washers 24and the ends of the roller 23 to prevent a binding force being exertedby the washers 24 against the side edges of the ears 5 and 3, therebyforming merely a guide without material frictional resistance of thefree movement of the roller 23 between the ears 5 and 6.

A stop screw 21 is threaded to the extended end of the link 8 to engagethe surface 28 of the inwill be opposed by the leaf spring I9 so thatwhat in effect will be recorded by the dial indicator 4 ls the degree offlexing of the spring I9 due to the force applied thereagainst.

The function of the roller23-is to permitfree` y dom of movement of thespring in the axial direction of the handle elementso that; thedialindicator 4 may record the force required to ilex the leaf spring. Asthe links 'l and 8 are parallel'and are freely pivoted at their opposedends, they do not yimpose any material resistance tov the bending'fofffthe leaf spring v4I 9. sHaVingI fullydescribedmyf invention, it is to bel-ur'iderstood that Ifdo` notfwish to be limited to fhou'sing'andafspr-ingleaf connected between the ldial indicator `housing andi thesocket'element between" the parallel links.

'1T l2p-'In a dev-icefoftheclass described, the combinationfof airindicator= housing,I an indicator :housed Within the housing, azsocketelement,` parallel links pivotally connected.fat'"ti1`eir` opposed :ends-fwith the indicator housing .and the socket 'me1nber,.arzleaf springpositioned between the 'pz'izrallellinks'and'` the operatively connectedat its Qmposed-iiends with the indicator. housing and thezsocket;i.andaone of l said links -being extended'from .itsilpvotalconnection -into the housing to engage .'tl'xeffoperatingvpin".ofi theldial indicator. housed 'withinthe-housing :e 351m. a device of theclass' described,y the vcom- Fbination of a pairof vparallelv links,a'socket pivot- .allyfconnected to' one lend of the links; a handle:element pivotally connected to the `opposed ends .fofithe links, aleaf'spring interposed between the panallellinks andtrigidly connected withthe sock- -etuelementand.;operatively connected with thehandlefzelem'ent; adialindicator, and meansoperativelyfconnectedbetweenoneof the links and; the

dial/indicator for actuating the-indicator in ac- ;cordance with theiiexingofthe sa'i'dleaf spring. 4:..fInawdevice ofthe classdescribedVthe comfbina-tion of apair 'of parallel links, a socket pivot-...ailyiconnected .to :one end of theilinks, a handle element :pivotallyvconnected to the opposed ends voithe links, a-.leafspring interposedbetween the parallel links and rigidly connectedVWitlithezsockietiae.lenient.z and.operativelyrconnected vwith :the

handle element, a dial indicator, means operatively connected betweenone of the links and the dial indicator for actuating the indicator inaccordance with the flexing of the said leaf spring, and a, limit stopmeans connected with one of the link members to limit the degree ofiexing of the leaf Spring.

5.` In a ydevice of the vclass described, the combination `of a pair ofparallel links, a socket pivotally connected to one end of the links, ahandle element pivotally connected to the opposed ends of the links, aleaf spring interposed between the parallel links and rigidly connectedWith the socketl element and operatively connected with v`the ihandleelement; a dial indicator, means operatively connected between one ofthe links and the dial indicator for actuating the indicator inaccordance with the flexing of the said leaf spring, and means forsecurely afiixing the leaf spring to the socket element, and means forsecuring the leaf spring'to the. handle element so as to permit freedomof movement in 'the axialv directionxof the handle element.

6. In a device -of the class described in which the forces exerted on ahandle member are transmitted `to a socket member and are indicated on adial indicator, the subcombinationcomprising, yat least one link memberpivotally connecting said handle member to said socket member, a springhaving its ends lsupported between said-handle member and said socket.member and arranged to resiliently resist :pivotal movement of :saidsocket member with respect to said handle member, and `means operateduponsuch .pivotal movement for actuating said dial indicator.

7. The inventionv defined in claim 6 characterizedy by said least onelink member comprises a pair of parallel extending link members, andsaid springis'secured to permit freedom ofr movement of one of its endsin its axial direction with respect vto its corresponding supportWhenpsaid spring-is stressed.

8. In a device of the class described in which the forces exerted on ahandle member are transmitted' to a socket kmember and` arel indicated Ion al'dialindicator; the subcombinat-ion comprising parallellinks-connecting the socket membern and handle member with one oiVsaidflinks 'being arranged to engage the actuating velement of the dialindicator, and a spring connected'between the handlev member: and socketmember arrangedA t0 resist pivotalmovement' of said socket member withYrespect to said handle-member.

FRANK W. LIVERMONT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are 'of record "in the le ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,125,945 Montgomery :\Aug.f 9,1938 r 2,159,354 Dunn i May23, 1939 2,167,720 Kress .-Aug. ,1, v19392,283,888 Zimmerman i ---UMay vv19,1942

